Avianca "Lifemiles" - Questions and Discussion

[Stutzy]

I booked about a week ago and my points are still in my account. I called up as I was suspicious also and they said they take a while and not to touch them.

In regards to confirmations I received an itinerary and the another one with the a receipt for taxes paid. The second one also had E-ticket numbers and I was able to use the reservation code to log onto Thai to view my flights and pick seats. I also called Thai to confirm that everything was good on their end which it was.

 

[Danger]

This screenshot method that is often touted, is that because you can find availability on another Star website but LifeMiles doesn't show it? I'm toying with buying UA miles and was looking at flights from Asia to Australia. UA was showing availability on SQ and TG; LifeMiles had donuts.

 

[Pele]

Gday

Danger no that is not the reason. The screenshot method is used in the situation where you can see availability in individual sectors for a journey but it doesn't yield search results when you search the Origin to Destination. For example: you want to go from SYD- NRT. You search SYD- NRT in the lifemiles search engine and it comes back with nothing. But then if you search SYD-BKK it comes up with something, and then a valid connection(ie less than 8 hours) of BKK-NRT which also comes back with a result. In this situation you would send screenshots of the two flights to the lifemiles team and they might book the itinerary for you at the price of a single origin to destination ticket, not two separate flights.

Seeing availability on another star alliance frequent flyer program is of no relevance to what will be available in the Lifemiles program.

Pele.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I booked about a week ago and my points are still in my account. I called up as I was suspicious also and they said they take a while and not to touch them.

In regards to confirmations I received an itinerary and the another one with the a receipt for taxes paid. The second one also had E-ticket numbers and I was able to use the reservation code to log onto Thai to view my flights and pick seats. I also called Thai to confirm that everything was good on their end which it was.

Out of all those things, the ticket number is the only indicator that you are good to go.

An itinerary, being able to retrieve your booking on the airline site, being able to reserve seats or meals, having the airline say 'everything is good'... none of those indicate you have a confirmed and paid reservation.

Ticket numbers mean payment. All the other things can be completed, but without payment the seat eventually auto cancels.

It's pretty straightforward now as many airlines show the ticket number in the manage booking function.

 

[annielee]

Anyone tried cancelling or changing ticket recently ?

 

[Cynicor]

Nope, is there more to the question or just wondering how hard it is? Normally takes about 15 min on the phone

 

[Danger]

Gday

Danger no that is not the reason. The screenshot method is used in the situation where you can see availability in individual sectors for a journey but it doesn't yield search results when you search the Origin to Destination. For example: you want to go from SYD- NRT. You search SYD- NRT in the lifemiles search engine and it comes back with nothing. But then if you search SYD-BKK it comes up with something, and then a valid connection(ie less than 8 hours) of BKK-NRT which also comes back with a result. In this situation you would send screenshots of the two flights to the lifemiles team and they might book the itinerary for you at the price of a single origin to destination ticket, not two separate flights.

Seeing availability on another star alliance frequent flyer program is of no relevance to what will be available in the Lifemiles program.

Pele.

Gotchya. Nice thorough explanation.

 

[VAG newbie]

I made an online booking using the new website with a reduced price for mixed F/J (97490k ORD-HND-SYD in NH F/J). After it processed my CC I got a message saying taxes has been charged on my CC and the support team will complete the order. No confirmation email and no itinerary sent unlike before. No miles have been deducted either. I was given the PNR number however.

It has been >72 hours now and nothing happened except CC has been charged. I logged into ANA website the booking is still there. A bit worrying but double checking with CMT, it seems I got e-ticket number (starting with 202). Is this the new norm with LM booking now? Anyone experienced the same?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I made an online booking using the new website with a reduced price for mixed F/J (97490k ORD-HND-SYD in NH F/J). After it processed my CC I got a message saying taxes has been charged on my CC and the support team will complete the order. No confirmation email and no itinerary sent unlike before. No miles have been deducted either. I was given the PNR number however.

It has been >72 hours now and nothing happened except CC has been charged. I logged into ANA website the booking is still there. A bit worrying but double checking with CMT, it seems I got e-ticket number (starting with 202). Is this the new norm with LM booking now? Anyone experienced the same?

I have only ever received one itinerary in dozens of redemptions. So that part is fairly normal (not to receive anything).

Ticket number is all you need, and more importantly, all NH needs for you to fly. Just confirm with NH that they have the number... either through their manage booking function or by calling.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

Can anyone assist with what is happening in LM with Air China bookings.... are they now working to book online ? I am seeing a fair bit of availability

thanks

 

[VAG newbie]

Can anyone assist with what is happening in LM with Air China bookings.... are they now working to book online ? I am seeing a fair bit of availability

thanks

I haven't booked CA myself but I've noticed that you can advance to the pax detail page. In the old search engine it errors out immediately after you select the flight. So may be it's bookable.

I remember reading here somewhere that someone had success booking CA online with LM.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

I haven't booked CA myself but I've noticed that you can advance to the pax detail page. In the old search engine it errors out immediately after you select the flight. So may be it's bookable.

I remember reading here somewhere that someone had success booking CA online with LM.

Yes i remember seeing that as well.. was just wondering if it was now fixed or if someone just got 1 through..

 

[CJEMNMAC]

Yes i remember seeing that as well.. was just wondering if it was now fixed or if someone just got 1 through..

Trying to get to SFO or LAX on a specific date.... SYD-PEK-LAX is available if I search by sector, but not as SYD-LAX with CA as the airline..

Anyway, I guess I can email support and see what they say

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Apparently CA is back bookable again. SYD-PEK-LAX should be doable via screenshot.

 

[VAG newbie]

Anyone had experience connecting ANA F to J? Do you get F lounge access in Tokyo? I've got an itinerary coming up ORD-HND-SYD in F and J. I know for TG, CX and SQ they let you into the F lounge while transiting if coming in F and connecting J. Just not sure about ANA. Would love to go into F lounge in HND as they offer a la carte dining.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Anyone had experience connecting ANA F to J? Do you get F lounge access in Tokyo? I've got an itinerary coming up ORD-HND-SYD in F and J. I know for TG, CX and SQ they let you into the F lounge while transiting if coming in F and connecting J. Just not sure about ANA. Would love to go into F lounge in HND as they offer a la carte dining.

If you are in transit in the same airport, same day, NH will usually allow arriving F pax to use the F lounge during their connection. This is unpublished. If you have to transfer (for example HND to NRT or vv) the courtesy is not extended.

However... it is up to their discretion on the day... NH follows a 'departing flight' policy to determine lounge access. So while the chances are small, you could be sent to the J lounge.

 

[I love to travel]

Apparently CA is back bookable again. SYD-PEK-LAX should be doable via screenshot.

Yes this is being reported on other forums too.

 

[drron]

Anyone had experience connecting ANA F to J? Do you get F lounge access in Tokyo? I've got an itinerary coming up ORD-HND-SYD in F and J. I know for TG, CX and SQ they let you into the F lounge while transiting if coming in F and connecting J. Just not sure about ANA. Would love to go into F lounge in HND as they offer a la carte dining.

I am in the ANA F lounge at NRT now.Next month we are doing IAD-NRT in F then NRT-SIN in J as they switched planes.Asked at the desk and they will allow access to F lounge onwards to SIN-so you should be fine.

 

[annielee]

Finally managed to change my booking after 2 hours op the phone ! 1st agent kept saying he couldn't see any seats available but i managed to see 3 seats on the LM website, so i tried again and the 2nd agent found the seats i wanted, paid the penalty + new taxes (less than $150).. as i've less 'interconnecting' flight...

 

[r01x]

Is there still a discrepancy in the mileage charged between booking online and via support?